These Congressional hearings provide the text of and materials related to proposed Senate Bill S. 521, intended to promote the public welfare by protecting institutionalized children from abuse, and Senate Bill S.1924, which would create a central federal file of sexual assault and child molesting arrests and convictions. This federal file would allow businesses and organizations that hire persons whose employment brings them into regular contact with children to have access to arrest or conviction records for the purpose of determining the suitability of job applicants. Testimony reflects the opinions and experiences of United States Senators, Congressmen, representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, district attorneys, doctors, directors of clinics and child care centers, professional associations, and concerned parents. A substantial part of the hearings focus on federal assistance given to states to prevent abuse in child care facilities. Also included are excerpts from the President's Task Force on Victims of Crime; criteria for high quality early childhood programs developed by the National Association for the Education of Young Children; a statement submitted by the Washington, D.C. and Maryland Chapters of Society's League against Molestation; and an article on the scope, impact, and legal ramifications of sexual exploitation of children. (HOD)